Protective cushion for packaging cans



1963 J. A. BRUCE 3,101,847

PROTECTIVE CUSHION FOR PACKAGING CANS Filed Aug. 3, 1961 INVENTOR L6 $02% United States Patent Ofi ice 3,101,847 Patented Aug. 27, 19633,101,847 PROTECTIVE CUSHION FOR PACKAGING CANS John Adams Bruce, Tampa,Fla., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Forspads Inc., a corporationFiled Aug. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 129,031 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) Thisinvention relates to a protective cushion for packaging cans and moreparticularly to a device which is adapted to be inserted between twopairs of cans when the cans are packaged in groups of four.

In my prior application Serial No. 787,993, entitled Method ofPackaging, now Patent No. 2,996,190 issued August 15, 1961, there isdisclosed a method of packing a group of four cans. It is pointed out inthat application that it is frequently desirable to package a pluralityof cans in a single package such as, for example, frozen juices whereonly a single can is used but it is desirable to provide for purchasingfor plurality of cans simultaneously. It is also desirable from thepoint of view for conserving shelf space to provide for the storage of aplurality of cans in a single package. In my prior application there isdescribed a method of packaging where in four cans are retained within athermoplastic heat shrinkable sleeve which completely encircles the cansand retains a display card within the package.

According to the present invention there is provided an insert for apackage such as described in the abovereferred to patent, which insertprovides a protective cushion for the cans to prevent damage to the cansor package in the event of an impact on the package. In addition,according to one modification of the invention the protective cushionmay also provide a display card and cover for portions of the can.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide aprotective cushion for a package incorporating a plurality of cans.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protectivecushioning device and cover for a package comprising four cans whereintwo cans are placed on top of the other two cans and wherein theprotective cushion is inserted between abutting end faces of the cans.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aprotective cushion for cans including a cover and display card.

O'her objects and many of the attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be readily appreciated on consideration of the followingdetailed specification in connection with the accompanying drawingsherewith:

FIG, 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the presentinvention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the protective insert member,

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the insert member showing the insertmember in partially folded condition,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of insert member, and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, wherein like numeralsindicate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG.1 a package 1 comprising four cans, 2, 3, 4, and 5 with the cansarranged so that the end faces of cans 4 and 5 abut the end faces ofcans 2 and 3. The package comprises a tube of heat shrinkable materialsuch as, for example, a polyester film and there is shown at 6 a displaycard for the package. The manner of sealing the package is more clearlydisclosed in my prior patent heretofore referred to.

According to the present invention there is provided an insert memberwhich is adapted to form a protective cushion between the ends of thecans 2 and 3 and cans 4 and 5. This protective cushion may comprise amemher such as shown at '7 in FIG. 2. The member 7 may be diecut orstamped from a synthetic material having cushioning characteristics orfrom heavy cardboard material which has cushioning characteristics andwill also add strength to the package. The cutout comprisessubstantially rectangular end portions 8 and 9 having fold lines such asshown at 10 formed therein. Disposed adjacent end rectangular endportions are sections 1 and 12 which have semi-circular outer edgeportions and a diamond shaped central cutout so that the portions 11 and12 will conform to the contours of the ends of the pairs of cans.

It is possible to apply spraying material to the portions 11 and 12 toincrease the cushioning thereof and provide relatively thin cardboardfor portions 8 and 9'.

The insert member 7 is shown in partially folded positions in FIG. 3 andthe portions 11 and 12 are brought into abutting relationship with thesubstantially rectangular end portions 8 and 9 adapted to fit againstthe sides of the cans. The edge portions of the elements 8 and 9 arebent so as to conform to the curved surfaces of the cans.

The element 7 is inserted with the abutting portions of 11 and 12inserted between the pairs of cans and the portions 8 and 9 restingagainst the side faces of the cans. In this position the end faces ofthe cans are protected and the package and contents are cushioned andprotected against damage by dropping or other shock. In addition theends of the cans are retained in tight abutting relationship with theinsert member and thus are maintained in a clean condition. The portions8 and 9 of the insert member add further strength to the package and maybe used for display or advertising purposes.

In FIG. 4 there is shown another embodiment of the present inventioncomprising an insert member 11 which does not have the portion extendingover the side of the can such as the portions 8 and 9 of the insertmember shown in FIG. 2. However, the insert member 11 is made of acushioning material and does provide protection for the abutting endfaces of the cans.

In FIG. 5 there is shown an insert member 12. having circular cutoutportions 13 and 14. The ring shaped protective element tits on the rimof each of the cans and performs the same function as the element 11 ofFIG. 4.

In addition to damaging the abutting ends of cans in the package, shockmay dent or otherwise impair other portions of the cans. An importantfeature of the insert in absorbing shock and lessening or preventingsaid denting is that dented cans have less cubic area and thus thetightly fitting film becomes loose around the package. This may permitthe contents to fall out or the package may become impaired.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. What is claimed to be new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is;

1. A package comprising a plurality of cans, at least two of said cansbeing disposed in side by side relation. at least two of said cans beingstacked on said first two cans in end to end relation therewith, acushioning device inserted between the contacting ends of said stackedcans, said cushioning device having a contour conforming to the endfaces of the cans, said cushioning device abutting the rims of the cansand adapted to maintaining the covered end faces of the cans free fromcontamination, and a heat shrunk film encasing the cans and drawing thecans into contact with the cushioning device.

2. In a package according to claim 1 wherein. said cushioning device isprovided with substantially rectangular portions extending normally inopposite directions on one side of the cushioning device to cover thesides of the stacked cans.

3 3. In a package according to claim I wherein. said 2,913,105cushioning device has a central cut out portion for each pair of stackedcans.

References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS2,038,990 Barr Apr. 28, 1936 Brunsing Nov. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTSGreat Britain Mar. 9, 1960

1. A PACKAGE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CANS, AT LEAST TWO OF SAID CANSBEING DISPOSED IN SIDE RELATION, AT LEAST TWO OF SAID CANS BEING STACKEDON SAID FIRST TWO CANS IN END TO END RELATION THEREWITH, A CUSHIONINGDEVICE INSERTED BETWEEN THE CONTACTING ENDS OF SAID STACKED CANS, SAIDCUSHIONING DEVICE HAVING A CONTOUR CONFORMING TO